NBA: Mavericks Ready To Make Deals

The World Famous LayupDrill Rumor Mill
Jan. 12, 2009

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doesn’t seem to be the type who will sit back and wait for something to happen. He never has.

Realizing the makeup of his franchise does not have enough to make it far in the playoffs, Cuban is looking to make changes. The talks around acquiring Raymond Felton have heated up over the last few days, as both the Charlotte Observer and Dallas Morning News report that talks are ongoing.

The Bobcats are looking to receive Mavs center Desagna Diop from Dallas in return for Felton and Nazr Mohammed. Both Charlotte and Dallas have acknowledged in order for the deal to work, there would need to be a third team involved, which is where the OKC Thunder fit in the mix. Stay tuned on this one….

Another Maverick who has been on the trade watch all season is swingman Jerry Stackhouse. One week you hear that Stack is on the trading block, then next thing you hear is he isn’t. It seems that basically the entire Dallas roster is on the block, with exception of Dirk Nowitzki.

NY Newsday reports Stackhouse may be a good fit in New York under Mike D’Antoni’s system. What would the Knicks have to give up to get him? There doesn’t seem to be much on New York’s roster that would entice Dallas into this deal.

Shaquille O’Neal, who played in the Staples Center Sunday afternoon against the Clippers, told ESPN.com that he wants his jersey retired in Staples Center. Shaq, speaking to J.A. Adande on the topic, said ” I was part of the greatest one-two punch in Laker history” and would like to see his jersey number “next to Kareem’s in the rafters.”

As for the team Phoenix beat, the Clippers are already lottery bound, and after losing their 11th game in a row Sunday, changes may be coming.

Sitting at 8 - 29, attendance is down for that “other” team that calls Staples Center its home, and the Clippers do have a few viable players that contenders may be interested in acquiring. Whether or not Clippers management decides it is time to rebuild once again is a tough decision they may have to make before the trade deadline.

If they do decide that, Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman could be in a new city before the season is out.